Sept. 28, 2008
Day Two Results
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The 18th treated the Owls kindly again Saturday, as the Men's Golf team went a combined six-under par on the closing hole to move into seventh place after two rounds of Vanderbilt University's Mason Rudolph Championship.
"We got off to a tough start today," said Kennesaw State Head Coach Blake Smart. "Playing 18 so well really saved our round."
Though they fell down the leader board from a tie for fifth, the Owls 288 kept them in the hunt for a quality finish as they trail third place Kentucky by only six strokes. South Carolina is the tournament leader heading into the final round, sitting comfortably in first with a seven-under par 561 total.
Three Owl golfers turned in even par 71's on Saturday. Freshman Jeff Karlsson eagled the par five 18th to seal a two-under par 34 on the back nine and a collegiate-low round. Matthew Nagy recorded four birdies on the back nine, including a four on 18 to card his own even-par round. Karlsson is tied for 29th at 145 while Nagy is tied for 17th at 143.
Michael Tulacz, who entered the day tied for fourth, turned in the Owls final 71 of the day. Tulacz birdied six holes, including three of the last five, to overcome a triple bogey six on the par three 13th and remain in a tie for fifth, just six strokes off of the individual lead held by Kentucky's Ben Fuqua at 133.
J.P. Putnam also eagled the 18th, salvaging a four-over par 75 out of an up and down round. Putnam was three-under through his final five holes but fell into a tie for 47th at 147. Parker Houston was on pace for a solid second round before his hopes were derailed by a double bogey on the 18th. He finished with a 77 and is tied for 75th heading into Sunday's final round.
"We have got to play at a higher level tomorrow," added Smart. "Playing in this caliber of event is a major opportunity for us and we need to capitalize."
The Owls will get started at 8:45 a.m. Eastern Standard Time and will be paired with Middle Tennessee State and UNC-Greensboro.
